Number of neutrons within the nucleus of the most common isotope: 16
Background
Scientist who discovered the element: Hennig Brand
Year it was discovered: 1669
Origin of the name: from the Greek words phôs meaning light, and phoros meaning bearer
Two most common uses: fertilizer and detergent
Physical Properties
State of matter at room temperature:solid
Melting point: 44.1ºC
Boiling point: 280.5ºC
Density: 1.82 g/cm3
Abundance in earth's crust: 0.1%
Chemical Properties
Other elements that will react with phosphorus: Oxygen and Chlorine
Compounds that contain the phosphorus:
Phosphine
Diphosphorus tetrahydride
Phosphorus trifluoride
Phosphorus Pentafluoride
Diphosphorus tetrafluoride
Phosphorus trichloride
Phosphorus pentachloride
Diphosphorus tetrachloride
Phosphorus pentabromide
Diphosphorus tetrabromide
Phosphorus triiodide
Diphosphorus tetraiodide
Tetraphosphorus decaoxide
Tetraphosphorus hexaoxide
Tetraphosphorus trisulphide
Tetraphosphorus decasulphide
Tetraphosphorus hexasulphide
Tetraphosphorus nonasulphide
Tetraphosphorus pentasulphide (alpha)
Tetraphosphorus heptasulphide
Tetraphosphorus tetrasulphide
Tetraphosphorus triselenide
An important use of phosphorus is in laundry detergents. The most widely used detergent contains tripolyphosphate. The phosphates in the detergents function to prevent interference from the water hardness. This is known as "builder". Because of this physical property and its excellent water solubility, phosphates are commonly used in detergents.
General
Atomic Structure
Background
Physical Properties
Chemical Properties
Models